Sixteen years ago this month, the first civilian victim
died in the brutal conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 5 April 1992, Suada Dilberovic was shot and killed by small arms fire while marching on the streets of the capital, Sarajevo. The war, which
lasted until 1996, caused the deaths of over 100,000 people and the displacement of 1.8 million.
Since that time many charities have come and gone, but despite some rebuilding and recovery,
the economy is limping and much of the population lacks basic services. As usual, it is the poor who bear the worst scars of war. World Vision reports that great need still exists, particularly in
rural areas. 'The war is over, but many wounds are still unhealed,' says National Director Sue Birchmore.
World Vision staff member Igor Miskovic took part in the 1992 protest and
experienced the turmoil of a country at war along with his fellow Bosnians. He now works to help formerly displaced families who are still suffering from poor living conditions, high unemployment, war
injuries and post-traumatic stress.
'We're not just talking about individual poverty,' Igor explains. 'The state of the local communities has a huge influence on family welfare –
things like bad roads, insufficient support from local authorities, and inadequate schools (many lack any equipment apart from chalkboards). That's why we use child sponsorship to strengthen these
communities.'
In some rural communities such as Olovo and Han Pjesak, 90% of fathers worked in local firms like woodcutting, but are now unemployed because those factories no longer exist.
In addition, most of the families had to flee the violence and as returnees have yet to recover their former standard of living. This has a negative impact on their children's welfare, even those too
young to have lived through the war.
'The authorities don't seem to care about these people, and they have lost their hope that things will be better. The parents' frustration and lack of
money causes some children to be aggressive and even to turn to drugs,' says teacher and community monitor Hajrudin Imamovic from the village of Olovske Luke, in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Divisive politics and corruption play a part in poverty: due to the presence of well-known separatist groups, some regions have been deprived of financial help from the government and
charity sector alike. World Vision is helping to establish civil society groups and rebuild fractured communities where hope is often absent.
'Even the less needy families suffer from the
collective poverty of the community,' says Sue Birchmore. 'The schools, water and sanitation, health facilities and so on are all under-resourced and in poor condition. By improving these services,
World Vision is continuing to help children to develop their God-given potential and enjoy 'life in all its fullness'.'
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Republican US presidential candidate Senator John McCain leaves a roundtable meeting at Miami's Children Hospital in Florida April 28, 2008. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA) ...
